NARRATIVE ОҒ 1853. 103 
miles further up, when they ascended the left bank and took a course east of north for twelve 
miles to a divide. Here, after a short halt, it was determined that they should return to where 
they had separated from the party in the vicinity of the Bear's Paw, although Mr. Stanley’s 
judgment was in favor of proceeding on their way with a more southerly inclination; that is to 
say, by inclining more to the left until they should reach the Missouri, which they subsequently 
ascertained would have been their true course. But having no ammunition, and as it was not 
unlikely that they might fall in with a party of Blackfeet Indians in their approach to the 
Missouri, of whose friendly manifestations they could have no better guarantee than their ability 
to protect themselves, and considering all the circumstances of the case, the resolution formed 
was deemed the more prudent, especially as it was certain that they could at the Bear's Paw 
discern, and from that point follow, my trail. 
On this morning two antelopes appeared in view; their desire to slay one of them was intense. 
Every conceivable precaution was adopted, and Mr. Stanley was selected to fire the only gun. 
Lying upon his face within a buffalo wallow, and taking advantage of the well-known 
curiosity of this animal, he displayed a handkerchief in the manner of a flag to decoy him, and 
held the gun in position. He approached warily, and Mr. Stanley as warily awaited his coming. 
The moment to fire was as soon as his eyes could be perceived above the intervening irregu- 
larities of the ground, and before he should take fright from the glance of the hunter. He 
fired at this moment, and missed him! His anxiety had been too great for the perfect poise 
demanded by the crisis. The messenger passed too high between his ears, and his life was 
spared, while they were doomed still longer to endure the pangs of hunger. > 
They suffered much throughout this day, and at 10 o'clock in the night halted for rest. At 
midnight the wind blew violently, when they arose and lighted a fire with one of the only two 
matches in their possession. At daydawn they resumed their journey down Milk river and 
soon found the object of their search—the trail of the advance party. They started upon it in 
good heart, resolving that they could and would fast for the three days required for the journey 
to Fort Benton. The import of this resolution was, that though they might suffer from extreme 
hunger, their valued horses should not be sacrificed for food, and yet they were already very 
weak. Little did they then anticipate the relief so providentially near them. Within three 
miles lay encamped upon their road the main party of the expedition, under the command of 
Lieutenant Donelson. Their greeting was cordial as they approached, and all their wants were 
soon supplied. At 10 o'clock they were again on their way, with fresh horses and three days' 
rations, and a guide similarly furnished. In the evening, after a most harassing -— of 25 
miles, they encamped on a southern fork of Milk river. ; dena 
On the 2d of September they followed my trail until noon, but as it proved „ишы апд аз 
their guide professed to be competent to conduct them to the fort, they оні him beyond 
the Marias river, when they soon found that he was entirely mpaequninted А the country. 
Late at night they encamped on the Teton river, supposing it to be the Missouri; but at day- 
light on the 3d they were convinced that they were not on the Missouri, but had travelled too 
far to the right and gone beyond Fort Benton; they, however, finally reached the fort at noon, 
Fek as a command of fifteen men were about to depart in search of them. 
4.—I concluded not to push off the advance parties to-day, as many of the animals 
required rest. Mr. Stanley commenced taking daguerreotypes of the Indians with his apparatus. 
They were delighted and astonished to see their likenesses produced by the direct action of 
the sun. They worship the sun, and they considered that Mr. Stanley was inspired by their 
